Apple TV 4K Review: The best streaming box you can buy

Apple hits nearly every sweet spot with its upgraded Apple TV 4K.

Quick VerdictApple's upgraded 4K-capable Apple TV has a slick interface, quick response and more apps than any competing set top box or smart TV. This is the new standard for a set-top box that others now have to beat.

The Good

4K compatibility

Voice and text search through TV app works well

4K content costs no extra

The Bad

Some apps will require a game controller

Your existing 4K TV may already have the streaming apps you want

Not a huge leap over the 4th generation Apple TV if 4K HDR doesn't matter to you.

What's in this guide?

What is Apple TV 4K?

Announced at Apple's September 2017 Keynote event, Apple TV 4K is the latest iteration of Apple's popular set-top box. Like previous Apple TV devices, Apple TV 4K is capable of streaming video, audio and images from services like Netflix and Apple Music as well as from other iOS devices. Where Apple TV 4K differs from its predecessors is in its support for 4K content, with the ability to display videos and images in resolutions up to 2160p on compatible TVs over HDMI.

Apple TV 4K also boasts support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) lighting, implementing both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision standards via its new A10X Fusion processor - the same chip that currently powers the iPad Pro.

On top of streaming content from online services, Apple TV 4K can display photos and videos from your iCloud account, as well as stream media locally using AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad. When AirPlay 2 releases at an as-yet undisclosed date, Apple TV 4K will also be able to control AirPlay 2-compatible speakers for wireless audio playback around your house.

Alongside the Apple TV 4K, Apple also finally brought its TV app here to Australia. Distinct from the Apple TV platform, the TV app (which also runs on compatible iPhone and iPad devices) allows for quick, easy and searchable access to catch-up and on-demand streaming platforms.

For lovers of home automation, Apple TV 4K can act as the central hub for your smart home. With the Home app available on tvOS, Apple TV 4K can control any HomeKit-enabled smart device in your house. This allows you to ask Siri to change the temperature on your thermostat, turn your lights on or display the surveillance feed from your smart security cameras. If you leave your Apple TV 4K on and connected to your Wi-Fi, you can even remotely control your smart home devices while you're out and about from your iPhone.

As with earlier Apple TV models, Apple TV 4K requires a constant Internet connection to stream online content and make use of Siri. Without an internet connection, the only content it can access would be any shared content sitting on compatible devices such as Mac computers on the same local network.

Design

If you're familiar with the 4th generation Apple TV, you're going to have a tough time picking between it and the Apple TV 4K, because they're both squat black boxes that do their level best to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Unlike the rather large Telstra TV 2, the core idea here is that the Apple TV 4K will connect to your display panel and then shrink into the distance, which is almost the antithesis of existing Apple design, which usually wants to stand out. The actual box itself measures at 35x98x98mm and weighs in at 425 grams. You're never going to spend much time hefting it, but it is a little heavier in the hand than its construction might suggest.

The Apple TV 4K is minimalist, in other words, and the same is true of its supplied remote, which measures at 38x124x6.3mm with a carrying weight of 45 grams. Like its predecessor, there's a clickable touch section at the top that you'll probably struggle a little to use in the dark until you get used to it, and it's all too easy to accidentally flip it upside down, too.

Apple's remote app for iOS devices works neatly with the Apple TV 4K, and if you don't fancy talking commands via Siri for whatever reason, it's the smoothest way to manage quick text entry for everything from streaming service passwords to content searches.

Installation

Apple has spent considerable time building up all of its iOS-derived platforms as a seamless ecosystem, and while the Apple TV 4K runs on the forked tvOS platform, that's still very much evident when you set up the Apple TV 4K.

You can manually configure it if that's to your taste, but if you have a recent enough iPhone, you can simply bring the two into Bluetooth range and sit back while the Apple TV 4K does all the work for you. I tested with an iPhone 8 Plus and it was utterly seamless and very convenient indeed, although as always your experience may vary.

Physically speaking there's not too much challenge to getting the Apple TV 4K set up, although you may need to be careful to have HDCP-compliant HDMI cables to hand depending on your home theatre setup, as well as Ethernet if you're not planning to use the inbuilt Wi-Fi functionality.

As has been the case since the dawn of the Apple TV platform, there's no power switch to speak of, which makes setup simple but means that if you do encounter a crash or lockup situation, you've got to pull the power out entirely to reboot the Apple TV 4K.

Performance

The chief selling point of the new Apple TV 4K is rather implicit in the name, with support for 4K HDR content streaming as long as you're connected to a compatible display. 4K HDR can really bring out the detail in content, but to date, it's been a pricey proposition not just because of the cost of a 4K HDR television, but also the cost of the content.

However, Apple has used its not-inconsiderable marketing muscle to change that somewhat in terms of its own iTunes content. It has sold and rented content in both standard and high definition for years now, but if you've previously purchased HD content through iTunes, you'll qualify for the 4K version (where available) at no additional charge. Not all providers will make 4K content available through Apple TV apps, however, but that's something that will hopefully change with time.

Apple also touts the upgraded internals, particularly the A10X Fusion inside the new Apple TV 4K as offering new experiences for those who also like the apps side of the Apple TV. This is a little tougher to ascertain beyond possible faster loading times for most tvOS apps, although it is again a nice step that in most cases, if you already own the iOS version of an app, its tvOS equivalent is yours at no extra charge.

One caveat here is that a number of tvOS titles rather explicitly require an iOS compatible games controller to use properly. Some will work with the Siri remote, but it's certainly no pro games controller if precision is your thing.

Speaking of the Siri remote, it's now even more slick, thanks to the inclusion of the TV app which acts as a central hub for a wide variety of streaming services. Where the Telstra TV 2 sells itself on text searches, the Apple TV 4K can manage both text and voice searches for content across a wide variety of fields. Predictably, throw a few more obscure accents at them (or fake them badly, as I did for testing purposes) and you can throw it off a little, but for the most part, it works well.

Apple supports tvOS apps for most of the major streaming services, but not quite all of them.

Amazon Prime Video is rather more limited in direct streaming terms, with your easiest set-top box option likely to be a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One console, at least until Amazon launches down under. Then we may well see Amazon's own Fire set-top boxes thrown into the local streaming mix.

Verdict

The Apple TV 4K is easily the best Apple TV to date, and it's still largely the standard by which other streaming boxes are judged because it combines wide app availability with a very simple user interface.

However, that doesn't make it an automatic must-buy prospect because it very much depends on your needs and usage. If you've got an existing Apple TV, especially if it's the 4th generation box, then the improvements in the latest model largely revolve around 4K HDR support and a faster processor. If they're not important to you, hold off on this generation until your existing Apple TV stops working.

If you've got a 4K TV, the odds are also pretty decent that you've already got access to 4K-compatible apps for the major streaming services, in which case the argument for the Apple TV 4K is significantly weakened.

That 4K HDR support is the lynchpin of the new Apple TV 4K's offering, but there are other ways to access 4K content. Telstra's Telstra TV 2 isn't as slick or as rich in apps as the Apple TV 4K, but if you're pondering a Telstra broadband plan worth $99 per month or better, you could score one for absolutely nothing, bringing with it essential streaming capabilities and 4K support.

Fetch TV's Fetch Mini isn't 4K-capable, but it covers the streaming basics as well as light subscription TV services, and if you're particularly budget-constrained, Google's Chromecast Ultra can deliver you 4K at a fraction of the Apple TV 4K's asking price.

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

Along with Apple TV 4K, Apple has updated Siri to be smarter about finding 4K-compatible content. By asking Siri to "show me movies in 4K", Siri will search through your apps and media library for movies that will take full advantage of Apple TV 4K's higher resolution.

Apple TV 4K is capable of playing a wide variety of media formats at resolutions up to 4K. Here's the breakdown:

Alex Kidman was the tech and telco editor at Finder and is now a freelance technology writer. He's been a technology writer with experience spanning more than 20 years, writing and editing at Gizmodo, CNET, PC Magazine, Kotaku and many more. Alex has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England and a serious passion for retro gaming.

Disclaimer - Hive Empire Pty Ltd (trading as finder.com.au, ABN: 18 118 785 121) provides factual information, general advice and services on financial products as a Corporate Authorised Representative (432664) of Advice Evolution Pty Ltd AFSL 342880. Please refer to our FSG - Financial Products. We also provide general advice on credit products under our own Credit Licence ACL 385509. Please refer to our Credit Guide for more information. We can also provide you with general advice and factual information on about a range of other products, services and providers. We are also a Corporate Authorised Representative of Countrywide Insurance Group Pty Limited. ABN 49 625 733 539 AFSL 511363 for the provision of general insurance products. Please refer to our FSG - General Insurance. We hope that the information and general advice we can provide will help you make a more informed decision. We are not owned by any Bank or Insurer and we are not a product issuer or a credit provider. Although we cover a wide range of products, providers and services we don't cover every product, provider or service available in the market so there may be other options available to you. We also don't recommend specific products, services or providers. If you decide to apply for a product or service through our website you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product or service and not with us. We endeavour to ensure that the information on this site is current and accurate but you should confirm any information with the product or service provider and read the information they can provide. If you are unsure you should get independent advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan. (c) 2020.

Thank you for your feedback.

Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.

Important information about this website

finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.

finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.

Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.

Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.

Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.

When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.

We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.

Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.

Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.